IMMIGRATION HELP PHILADELPHIA

Deportations
When an individual who is not a United States citizen or a green card holder is forced to leave the United States, it is called deportation, though it is now formally called removal.  A person can be deported or removed for violating a number of immigration laws.  When a person is deported, it is ordered by an immigration judge.  It is overseen by the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).  The individual who is being removed may have violated a seemingly insignificant law, or a very serious law.  One of the most common and obvious reasons that an individual might be removed from the United States is that they were never legally allowed to enter or live in the United States in the first place.  If someone crosses the border illegally and without proper documentation, they will likely be deported if it is discovered that they are in the United States.  Even people who have entered the United States lawfully and have a right to be here temporarily can be deported.  An example of this is if you enter the United States on a tourist visa.  While on a tourist visa, you are not permitted to work.  If it is discovered that you are in fact working anyway, this is grounds for removal from the United States.         
   
            Another possible reasons for deportation is something as small as not informing USCIS of a change of address.  If you change your address, you have ten days to notify USCIS.  If you don’t notify them in ten days, you could potentially be deported.  USCIS has a vested interest in knowing where all noncitizens are located so they can ensure that all laws are being followed and that all conditions of the visa are being followed.  If they start losing track of people, it obviously becomes much more difficult for them to keep track of everyone.  A person could also be removed for committing a crime that has nothing to do with the rules of a visa or notifying USCIS about an address.  Some crimes will not cause a person to be deported, but if you are here and are not a citizen, it is important to follow all laws of the United States because you are simply not afforded the same rights as a citizen is.
    Many people are unaware that even if you have a green card, you can still be deported.  If you commit an ‘aggravated felony’ this is grounds for removal from the United States, even if you are a lawful permanent resident (green card holder).  Even more confusing is the fact that some crimes that are considered misdemeanors in the state that they were committed can actually be classified as aggravated felonies for immigration purposes, and can lead to deportation.  There is a long list of what crimes are considered aggravated felonies.  Please contact us if you have any questions about what crimes can lead to deportation if you are a green card holder or if you have any other questions about deportation.